MedWaves 2025: Converging the collective
Global decision-makers and government representatives, as well as business sectors and civil society, have come together around the world during 2024 to reveal the significant experiences taking place at regional and local levels. As a regional hub of activity supporting transformation through the promotion of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) activities, MedWaves is in a unique and privileged position to engage with and respond to this global narrative.
Presentation of the new Plan Bleu’s Report
The report raises a crucial question: how can we identify, quantify and reform these harmful practices in our region?
Plan Bleu’s groundbreaking report addresses this question by offering an in-depth analysis and recommendations tailored to the different contexts, sectors and structures in the region. Written by experts from Mediterranean countries, it provides local expertise and solid empirical analysis.
EU and the zero pollution targets for 2030
The European Commission and the European Environment Agency released their second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report, alongside the fourth Clean Air Outlook report.
These reports highlight the EU’s progress toward achieving its 2030 zero-pollution targets. While EU policies have helped reduce air pollution, pesticide use, and plastic litter at sea, pollution remains high in areas such as noise, microplastics, nutrient pollution, and waste generation.
The reports stress the need for stronger action to meet the 2030 goals, emphasizing the integration of zero-pollution principles in all EU policies. Promoting a circular economy is seen as key to reducing environmental pressures and improving public health.
The reports show progress in some areas, like reduced marine litter and improved air quality, but also point out ongoing challenges, particularly with ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and noise pollution.
The Fifth Meeting of the Barcelona Convention Offshore Oil and Gas Group
The Fifth Meeting of the Barcelona Convention Offshore Oil and Gas Group (OFOG) Sub-Group on Environmental Impact took place in Lija, Malta, on 19-20 February 2025. Organized by the REMPEC under the Mediterranean Action Plan of UNEP and was financed by the Mediterranean Trust Fund.
Government officials and representatives from contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention, along with observer organizations, attended. The meeting approved the MOAP, the Mediterranean Offshore Action Plan, for 2026-2035, which updates the previous MOAP (2016-2024) and addresses new developments in the offshore oil and gas sector. It also includes measures to overcome challenges faced during the implementation of the previous plan.
Additionally, the meeting approved Regional Offshore Standards and Guidelines for the removal and decommissioning of offshore installations, aiming to protect marine and coastal environments through a common regulatory framework.
The approved MOAP and the new Standards and Guidelines will be submitted for consideration at the Mediterranean Action Plan Focal Points Meeting, with the goal of adoption at the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in Egypt, December 2025.
Steering Committee Reviews Progress on EcAp MED PLUS Project implementation
The First Meeting of the Steering Committee for the EU-funded EcAp MED PLUS Project, organized by the UNEP/MAP Secretariat, took place on 26 February 2025 in Athens, Greece.
The meeting had the objective to assess progress, review updates to the Work Plan and Budget, and discuss the Communication and Visibility Plan for 2025-2026.
Advancing Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean: Strengthening Cooperation and Strategic Actions
On 12–13 February 2025, the Thematic Ad-Hoc Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD), kindly hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Istanbul Centre, with the generous support of France through a voluntary contribution, took place in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The meeting aimed to maximize inclusion and active contributions to the update process of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD).
The second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report
The European Maritime Transport Environment Report 2025 released last 4 February by the European Maritime Safety Agency and the European Environment Agency.
The European maritime sector is progressing toward greater sustainability, but challenges remain in achieving EU climate and environmental goals. According the Report, the sector plays a crucial role in trade, economic growth, and energy security. However, it also has significant environmental impacts, contributing to energy use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The GFCM contributes to biodiversity conservation
The Convention on Biological Diversity acknowledges that spatial management measures, such as FRAs , can help preserve biodiversity.
Two decades ago, the GFCM, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, established its first Fisheries Restricted Area in the Mediterranean and Black Sea to support fisheries management.
In 2025, the 11th FRA will come into effect. While Marine Protected Areas are widely known for conserving marine biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes that other measures like FRAs are also vital for biodiversity preservation.
IMO on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping
From 17 to 21 February, the Intersessional Working Group on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from ships met for its 18th meeting.
The IMO’s Intersessional Working Group (ISWG-GHG 18) made progress in addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. The IMO’s 2023 GHG Reduction Strategy aims to introduce mid-term measures by late 2025, including a technical marine fuel standard and an economic GHG emissions pricing mechanism.
NEW Training School
The Training School “Sustainable Marine Governance in the Mediterranean” will be held from 5 to 10 May. It is organized by UNEP/MAP and the MEPIELAN Centre, in cooperation with the EPLO.
This week-long online Training School offers a unique, integrated platform for knowledge exchange, discussion, and capacity-building in sustainable environmental governance within the framework of the Barcelona Convention.
PAP/RAC joins ERASMUS+ to increase Climate Change awareness for Youth in the Mediterranean
Organised by the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM), the Kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ KA220-YOU project, titled “Climate Change Awareness in the Mediterranean from Youth Perspective was held in Ankara on February 24-26, 2025.
The project aims to raise awareness of climate change in the Mediterranean region and encourage the active participation of youth in the process. It plans to implement academic research, field studies, and interactive training programs, the so-called CASS trainings (Climate Awareness and Sustainable Skills).
The latest from Pelagos
As part of the ‘Un mondo da a mare’ project, the Permanent Secretariat of the Pelagos Agreement shared drawings by children from a primary school in Garlenda and the Aguillon primary school in Toulon showing the Pelagos Sanctuary through the eyes of children.
To mark World Conservation Day, the Pelagos Sanctuary exhibition by underwater photographer Greg Lecoeur, founder of the We Are Méditerranée association, was inaugurated on 3 March at the Porto Antico di Genova in front of the Acquario di Genova. It was also an opportunity to present the Pelagos Agreement, as well as the RAMOGE Agreement and the many local players involved in preserving our Mediterranean, to a public made up mainly of schoolchildren and students. The exhibition is open until 3 May.
The work Window on the Mediterranean, donated to Sciences Po Menton by the Pelagos and RAMOGE Agreements, was inaugurated on 18 February 2025, in the presence of the Secretariats of the two Agreements, Campus Director Youssef Halaoua and artist Anthony Alberti (Mr OneTeas). This work of art was created on 15 October 2024, during the RAMOGE-Pelagos event, thanks to the involvement of around sixty students and participants. You can now see it on the 3rd floor of the campus overlooking the Mediterranean, reminding students every day of the richness and fragility of our sea!
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